Bislig City strengthens drought preparedness amid super El Niño threat
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — The Bislig City government is strengthening its preparedness for the possible impacts of Super El Niño through a three-day drought contingency planning workshop at the Bislig City Convention Center.
Led by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the October 27–29 workshop was held with assistance from the Surigao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO). It brought together concerned government agencies to strengthen coordination, assess available resources, and develop response measures against prolonged dry conditions and possible water shortages.
The activity supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for early and coordinated action to protect food and water supplies, assist farmers, and reduce the impact of severe dry conditions on communities. Local government units are also urged to strengthen their El Niño contingency plans and implement precautionary measures.
In Surigao del Sur, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), led by Chief Esmeraldo Raymundo, is preparing measures to protect the agriculture sector from El Niño’s possible effects. These include adjusting cropping calendars in irrigated areas, promoting water-saving technologies in rice farming, and ensuring the timely distribution of seed subsidies. The province has also identified Carmen and Lanuza as municipalities that have experienced El Niño-related effects. These measures aim to minimize crop losses, protect farmers’ livelihoods, and help communities manage limited water resources.
Authorities also urged residents to conserve water, stay updated on official weather and climate advisories, and coordinate with local officials on preparedness measures.
Through early planning and coordinated action, Bislig City and the provincial government aim to strengthen community resilience, protect agricultural livelihoods, and reduce El Niño’s possible effects on local communities. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)